I just don't grasp turning one's business over to someone else to manage.
The one were most familiar with is the Annapolis harbor, which Oasis began managing a few years ago (assuming I'm remembering correctly). I think this would have been just after the major dock renovations.
Not sure why the city would have done that, but I might guess they decided managing boater services just isn't their core capability. That's just a WAG, though...
-Chris
Most cities have found having third party managers makes sense. I understand cities turning it over to others, just not private owners. Even Fort Lauderdale has turned Las Olas Marina over to Suntex and Miami Beach has done the same with their marina.
Customer service is gone. If they can put a price tag on it, one will be placed. Items on work orders include papertowels, razor blades, alcohol for wiping down, shop rags, zip ties.....
All this talk about the cost of marina fees escalating due to supply/demand reminds me of about a year ago some on this forum were talking about the death of our hobby because the younger generations were not getting into boating.
I guess those folks are not speaking because they are all eating crow.
HOLLYWOOD
Marina Del Rey (in Los Angeles) just raised their slip fees 25% for small boats, 90% for big boats. Do not see a mass exodus to other marinas.
A) Liveaboards (Old Dan is an example)
B) Transient Cruisers (Wayfarer Dave is an example)
C) Home Port (own a dirt home, keep their boat in a marina - Cardude is example)
A few of us keep their boats docked behind their waterfront dirt home (Bandb, Comodave, RGano, Menzies are examples).
Then there are a few of us, like OC Diver, who own their slips.
What we all have in common is that we all need at least one of these typical marina services:
1) Fuel, Oil
2) Boat Systems services
3) Electronics services
4) Pumpout services, garbage bins, laundry facilities
5) Winter storage services
6) Haul-out services
7) Hull cleaning services
What we all have in common is that we all need at least one of these typical marina services:
1) Fuel, Oil
2) Boat Systems services
3) Electronics services
4) Pumpout services, garbage bins, laundry facilities
5) Winter storage services
6) Haul-out services
7) Hull cleaning services
This has been an interesting thread to read.
I don't know much about the marina business, but do know that for many Mom & Pop businesses the value of the business is in the value of the property they own. I could (and would) expect a 70 year old owner of a marina to sell his property as there comes a point in life that many folks may want to retire.
Jim
If they can put a price tag on it, one will be placed. Items on work orders include papertowels, razor blades, alcohol for wiping down, shop rags, zip ties.....
I don't put up with that crap. I demand such things be removed from the invoice. I just don't pay for it.
Chris, you are at Hartge's now? We moved to Piney Narrows Yacht Haven last spring after five years at Hartge's. I like the improvements the Chaneys have done since taking ownership.Pretty normal around here. Our previous marina, our current marina, all the work we had done in Florida when we took possession of this boat, etc. Similar to most auto service shops, too.
Our previous marina/boatyard was a Mom & Pop and the family aged out about 5 years ago. Service didn't really change much, but I expect the new owners are aiming for a re-sale to somebody like SG or Suntex.
Our current marina/boatyard (established 1865) was a family thing until this last Summer... when they sold out to another nearby family ownership group. Latter has a few other marinas, and they're good at it... so I expect good service to at least stay good, maybe even get a bit better if there's a way to do that. (We haven't been there long enough to assess what "better" could possibly mean.)
-Chris
• Manasquan, Ocean County, N.J.
• Crystal Point, Ocean County N.J.
Note they were all inland then. Now they and Suntex are focused on coastal.
Still I'm not going to panic over 2 operators who still own or operate less than 3% of all marinas in the country.
I could be reading this incorrectly but Manasquan and Crystal Point are not what I consider inland.
Many industries which were independently owned are getting consolidated. Typically the owners are looking to get out and the kids are not interested in continuing the business and the cost to purchase for another independent is cost prohibitive. I have seen this in agriculture, grocery, landscaping and even porta-potties. I feel marinas are falling into the same category and this will only continue as more independent operators look to exit due to age, increasing regulations, maintenance costs etc. Its just a wave we need to ride.
Well, a private conversation made me curious. How many marinas we've used are now Safe Harbor or Suntex. We define use as ever tied there, even if just for lunch and sure the number is growing each day:
Safe Harbor
Angler House-Islamorada, FL
Annapolis, Annapolis, MD
Aqua Yacht, Iuka, MS
Beaufort, Beaufort, NC
Capri, Port Washington, NY
Charleston, Charleston, SC
Cove Haven, Barrington, RI
Cowesett, Warwick RI
Essex Island, Essex, NY
Glen Cove, Glen Cove, NY
Grand Isle, Grand Haven, MI
Great Lakes, Muskegon, MI
Harborage, St. Petersburg, FL
Harborage Yacht Club, Stuart, FL
Harbortown, Ft. Pierce, FL
Jarrett Bay, Beaufort, NC
Kings Point, Cornelius, NC
Marathon, Marathon, FL
Marina Bay, Quincy, MA
Narrows Point, Grasonville, MD
New England Boatworks, Portsmouth, RI
New Port Cove, Riviera Beach, FL
Newport Shipyard, Newport, RI
North Palm Beach, North Palm Beach, FL
Old Port Cove, North Palm Beach, FL
Peninsula Yacht Club, Cornelius, NC
Plymouth, Plymouth, MA
Rybovich, West Palm Beach, FL
Sandusky, Sandusky, OH
Skippers Landing, Troutman, NC
Skull Creek, Hilton Head, SC
South Harbor Village, Southport, NC
Westport, Denver, NC
Yacht Haven, Stamford, CT
Suntex
Bahia Mar, Fort Lauderdale, FL
Bayshore, Coconut Grove, FL
Faro Blanco, Marathon, FL
Garrison Bight, Key West, FL
Kentucky Dam, Gilbertsville, TN
Las Olas, Fort Lauderdale, FL
Liberty Landing, Jersey City, NJ
Marina Jack, Sarasota, FL
Miami Beach, Miami Beach, FL
Ocean Yacht, Portsmouth, VA
Snook Bight, Fort Myers Beach, FL
Tidewater, Portsmouth, VA
Westrec, acquired by Suntex
Hall of Fame, Fort Lauderdale, FL
Dania Beach, Dania Beach, FL
Crandon Park Marina, Key Biscayne, FL
Burnham Harbor, Chicago, IL
Wow....I must admit in doing that list, a bit shocked. So definitely impacted, just no idea in what way.
I suspect some of you will be far more so depending on location.
For instance, just in South Florida, three counties. Here's my tabulation.
Miami Dade-3 Suntex, 2 Westrec
Broward-3 Suntex, 5 Westrec, 3 Safe Harbor
Palm Beach-4 Safe Harbor
So, 20 within 50 miles of us.
How hard is it for a marina to add slips ?? Floating docks are a relatively small investment if you can rent another slip or two for every dock you build I would think marinas could self regulate supply by adding or subtracting more dock space.
This is not a complete list. Are you saying these are ones you've personally stayed at?